The "Blair for EU President" drum is being banged again. Whether this is part of some jockeying strategy designed to increase the UK's bargaining power on other matters or not, it seems that it's time to speak out again:
In the relaunch of the Stop Blair! campaign, ThatBritGuy suggests putting out a press release.
Tony Blair would have London's full backing for the new post of EU president, UK's Europe minister confirmed, suggesting the well-known British ex-leader would be respected and "generally welcomed." The British Labour leader has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the title since it first appeared in the European Constitution, which was later transformed into the Lisbon treaty. Is he heading back from the Middle East to Europe? But this is the first time that London's position has been publicly announced by a government minister. "The UK government is supporting Tony Blair's candidature for president of the Council [of EU governments]," Lady Kinnock, Britain's Europe minister, told journalists in Strasbourg on Wednesday (15 July). She argued that Mr Blair had the "strength of character" and "status" to take on the job, adding: "People know who he is, and he could step into this new role with a lot of respect and he would be generally welcomed."
Tony Blair would have London's full backing for the new post of EU president, UK's Europe minister confirmed, suggesting the well-known British ex-leader would be respected and "generally welcomed."
The British Labour leader has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the title since it first appeared in the European Constitution, which was later transformed into the Lisbon treaty.
Is he heading back from the Middle East to Europe?
But this is the first time that London's position has been publicly announced by a government minister.
"The UK government is supporting Tony Blair's candidature for president of the Council [of EU governments]," Lady Kinnock, Britain's Europe minister, told journalists in Strasbourg on Wednesday (15 July).
She argued that Mr Blair had the "strength of character" and "status" to take on the job, adding: "People know who he is, and he could step into this new role with a lot of respect and he would be generally welcomed."
STRASBOURG -- His interest in the job was one of the worst-kept secrets in British politics. But on Wednesday Britain's former prime minister, Tony Blair, was finally named as a candidate for a new presidential post in the European Union. In apparently unscripted comments, the European Minister for Britain, Glenys Kinnock, made it clear that Mr. Blair wanted the position and had the blessing of the British government."The U.K. government is supporting Tony Blair's candidature," Ms. Kinnock said. "I am sure they would not do it without asking him."Designed to raise the E.U.'s profile globally, the presidential post is seen by some as the answer the Henry Kissinger's question: "Who do I call if I want to talk to Europe?"
STRASBOURG -- His interest in the job was one of the worst-kept secrets in British politics. But on Wednesday Britain's former prime minister, Tony Blair, was finally named as a candidate for a new presidential post in the European Union.
In apparently unscripted comments, the European Minister for Britain, Glenys Kinnock, made it clear that Mr. Blair wanted the position and had the blessing of the British government.
"The U.K. government is supporting Tony Blair's candidature," Ms. Kinnock said. "I am sure they would not do it without asking him."
Designed to raise the E.U.'s profile globally, the presidential post is seen by some as the answer the Henry Kissinger's question: "Who do I call if I want to talk to Europe?"
However, just like the palestinians at the moment when they want to talk to their "peace" envoy, he'd probably find his call diverted to some obscure Mid West neocon outpost where tony would be on his permanent money-grubbing lecture tour. keep to the Fen Causeway
Post will be created as early as January once the Treaty of Lisbon is ratifiedTony Blair won the formal backing of Gordon Brown yesterday as Britain's candidate to become the first "President of Europe". Downing Street endorsed Baroness (Glenys) Kinnock, the Europe minister, who said in Strasbourg: "The UK Government is supporting Tony Blair's candidature for President of the [European] Council." Asked if the prospect had been discussed with Mr Blair, she said: "It is the Government's position. I am sure they would not do that without asking him." Mr Brown's spokesman said: "What the Prime Minister supports is Tony Blair's candidature for the President of the European Council if Tony Blair decides that that is what he would like to do and as and when such a position exists."The post would be created, possibly as early as next January, if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. The biggest remaining hurdle is a second referendum in Ireland in October, but opinion polls suggest people will vote Yes this time. Allies of Mr Blair said he was not campaigning actively for the job but would be interested if it involved being a figurehead representing the European Union on the world stage. "He doesn't want to spend his time chairing meetings of EU leaders," one said.
Tony Blair won the formal backing of Gordon Brown yesterday as Britain's candidate to become the first "President of Europe".
Downing Street endorsed Baroness (Glenys) Kinnock, the Europe minister, who said in Strasbourg: "The UK Government is supporting Tony Blair's candidature for President of the [European] Council." Asked if the prospect had been discussed with Mr Blair, she said: "It is the Government's position. I am sure they would not do that without asking him." Mr Brown's spokesman said: "What the Prime Minister supports is Tony Blair's candidature for the President of the European Council if Tony Blair decides that that is what he would like to do and as and when such a position exists."
The post would be created, possibly as early as next January, if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. The biggest remaining hurdle is a second referendum in Ireland in October, but opinion polls suggest people will vote Yes this time.
Allies of Mr Blair said he was not campaigning actively for the job but would be interested if it involved being a figurehead representing the European Union on the world stage. "He doesn't want to spend his time chairing meetings of EU leaders," one said.
Now we've heard it all. The lying warmonger who has done more than anyone to corrupt our public life is the Government's official choice to be the first president of the European Union. Never mind that the post won't exist unless all 27 member states ratify the Lisbon treaty - and that remains in doubt while the Czech president hesitates and Ireland awaits its second referendum. Such procedural and democratic niceties don't matter to the panjandrums of New Labour, to whom looking after a crony has always come first. No. First they deny us our own referendum on Lisbon's EU constitution, in flagrant breach of an unequivocal election pledge. Now they decide in their bunker, consulting only each other, that the nation's official candidate is to be none other than Tony Blair.
Now we've heard it all. The lying warmonger who has done more than anyone to corrupt our public life is the Government's official choice to be the first president of the European Union.
Never mind that the post won't exist unless all 27 member states ratify the Lisbon treaty - and that remains in doubt while the Czech president hesitates and Ireland awaits its second referendum.
Such procedural and democratic niceties don't matter to the panjandrums of New Labour, to whom looking after a crony has always come first.
No. First they deny us our own referendum on Lisbon's EU constitution, in flagrant breach of an unequivocal election pledge. Now they decide in their bunker, consulting only each other, that the nation's official candidate is to be none other than Tony Blair.
Curious, I left a comment this afternoon with a link to the Petition, but so far there is not one comment.
Getting into the stride of her new job as Europe Minister, Baroness Kinnock has declared her support for Tony Blair to become President of the European Union.The Blairs and the Kinnocks seem to regard the EU as a mechanism for awarding each other highly paid jobs at the taxpayer's expense.As Labour leader in 1995 Blair nominated Glenys's husband Neil to be an EU Commissioner - tet as young politicians Blair and Kinnock advocated Britain's withdrawal from the EU. No wonder they have changed their minds with first class seats on the gravy train. Representing the people: Tony Blair outside Jerusalem in his role as International Mideast envoy. He could become the first president of Europe Lord Mandelson was a courtier to Kinnock and then Blair. Mandy still seems to have enough clout with the Blairites to avert coup attempts against Gordon Brown (although a dismal defeat for Labour in next week's Norwich North by-election might revive that question.)
Getting into the stride of her new job as Europe Minister, Baroness Kinnock has declared her support for Tony Blair to become President of the European Union.
The Blairs and the Kinnocks seem to regard the EU as a mechanism for awarding each other highly paid jobs at the taxpayer's expense.
As Labour leader in 1995 Blair nominated Glenys's husband Neil to be an EU Commissioner - tet as young politicians Blair and Kinnock advocated Britain's withdrawal from the EU. No wonder they have changed their minds with first class seats on the gravy train.
Representing the people: Tony Blair outside Jerusalem in his role as International Mideast envoy. He could become the first president of Europe
Lord Mandelson was a courtier to Kinnock and then Blair. Mandy still seems to have enough clout with the Blairites to avert coup attempts against Gordon Brown (although a dismal defeat for Labour in next week's Norwich North by-election might revive that question.)
